FArts

I've been scouring Craig's List today, trying to find ways to supplement my rock and roll lifestyle (currently consisting of paying rent and some heating bills). I ended up in the 'creative gigs' section only to find that everyone wants free arts, or as I'm now dubbing it, FArts. Photographers, take a look at this generous offer:

"IM A MALE 80S FASHION MODEL AND LOOKING FOR A PHOTOGRAPHER..AND ALSO SOMEONE THAT CAN BE A PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPHER FOR ME AND MY RETRO 80S CREW....ONLY BUSINESS... P.S.This isnt a paying ad " -

God only knows what our creepster was thinking when he mentioned 'ONLY BUSINESS'. But before you photographers go raising your fists in the air, have a look at this benevolent happy snapper:

"Photographer is seeking lifestyle models of all ages for a photoshoot {Think high end Tiffany style but for a bakery} Please send face and FULL body photos....with stats

This is a non paying gig... but you will get your pictures on a cd after a waiver is signed allowing our company full rights to use your pictures."

It tickled me that the up-side of not getting paid was that you lose all your rights! Brilliant way to turn a negative in to a positive (excuse the photography pun).

Are you a dancer? Then look no further:

"NEED FEMALE & MALE DANCERS 4 SAT 26th night - NEED DANCERSSS!!!!! ASAP ITS NOT PAIDED"

Paided? I'm hoping our friend is saving his money for a dictionary.

Perhaps you've been studying at the Fashion Institute for a few years, and you're looking for some design work? Could this be your dream job?:

"I need T-Shirts for cool designs(No Pay-But you get credit)"

I don't even want to get started on the lack of paying gigs for musicians, though I know musicians can be the worst when it comes to paying photographers, directors, engineers etc. And by all means, build up your modelling portfolio! Get some photography experience! Play free shows and make new fans! But don't let people take advantage of you and your craft.

The only way this will stop is when we realise our worth and refuse to give people everything for nothing. Trade some services and make a deal, but let's say no to FArts!

Elliott Smith & Christmas Radio

I'm about ready to do a van Gogh on my ears after 5 days of Christmas radio - thank you Elliott Smith for being on my iPod. It wasn't always like this though..

I met a girl in Boston a few years ago, she asked if I liked Elliott Smith, and I said I didn't know. She made me sit in front of her computer until we'd listened through one of Elliott's records on her PC speakers. I was drunk on cheap whiskey and forgot most of this event, though later that month I got my hands on Elliott Smith's 'From a Basement on the Hill', and disliked nearly all of it. I'm in the process of inventing a time machine so I can visit my former self and knock some sense in to my thick, juvenile ears.

A couple of months ago I picked up Figure 8 from Nicole's iPod, and I've been feeding myself small doses of Smith since. I couldn't believe I'd never liked these songs before, and now I'm downloading XO, having put New Moon and Either Or on repeat for a month. I came home to London last week and played Speed Trials while walking through the snow. I had one of those moments where your iPod becomes the soundtrack to your bland day-to-day life, and for a moment it's awesome. Then you realise you're that dick with the iPod who thinks its the soundtrack to his life.

For all you MP3 fans, please check out my new record 'The Matador & The Acrobat" on iTunes!

Or feel free to continue the vinyl revolution.

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Adventures from the Internet

This is funny on at least 2 levels..

Day 6: Mecersburg, PA - Flannery's Tavern

Woke up in Philly with the excitement of knowing I'd be in Mercersburg by day's end. Nobody knows where Mercersburg is. You might never hear of it again after reading about it in this blog. However, it is probably the most exciting leg of the tour. Flannery's Tavern is the local pub & restaurant, run by local legend, John Flannery. We play the show with our friends 'The Hello Strangers', and proceed to get hammered with half of Mercersburg. Thanks to Nate Fochtman for this video of 'Bullets':



What then followed still spooks me out, as John Flannery took us on a tour of the Tavern, built in 1809: